The mental model of inversion is a powerful thinking framework popularized by Charlie Munger, the long-time business partner of Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway. At its core, inversion asks us to approach problems by considering the opposite of what we want to achieve. Instead of asking, “How do I succeed?” we ask, “What would cause me to fail?”
This simple shift in perspective allows us to uncover hidden risks, sharpen our reasoning, and make more robust decisions in contexts ranging from investing to life planning. Inversion is deeply rooted in the mathematical method of working backward from a desired outcome—a tool as effective in philosophy and psychology as it is in finance.
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